Monday, July 12, 2010

Book Review : Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

Product Details

Paperback: 479 pages

Publisher: Three Rivers Press (December 29, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0307718700

ISBN-13: 978-0307718709

Beautiful Nefertiti and her sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised far from the court of their aunt, the Queen of Egypt. But when the Pharaoh of Egypt dies, their father’s power play makes Nefertiti wife to the new and impetuous king. It is hoped she will temper King Amunhotep’s desire to overturn Egypt’s religion, but the ambitious Nefertiti encourages Amunhotep’s outrageous plans instead, winning the adoration of the people while making powerful enemies at court. Younger yet more prudent, Mutnodjmet is her sister’s sole confidant, and only she knows to what lengths Nefertiti will go for a child to replace the son of Amunhotep’s first wife.

In Nefertiti, Michelle Moran has created a fascinating world of ancient Egypt which offers us a glimpse of life in that particular era, through the eyes of Mutnodjmet, Nefertiti's half sister. I can never rave enough about Michelle's superb writing skill and her talent to weave fact and fiction together seamlessly. I've been a great fan of Michelle's since I started reading Cleopatra's Daughter, which is mostly set in Rome.

Nefertiti is famous for her ethereal beauty and charm. She is portrayed as a cunning and ambitious Queen in this novel, and together with her husband Akhenaten, they demolished Egypt's gods and raise a new deity called Aten or the Sun God in their place.

Mutnodjmet is a likable character. She is a herbalist who has a caring heart and is content with a simple life. At first, she is dominated by her sister, but at last, she succeeds in finding her own true love - General Nakhtmin. I pity her when she suffers physically and emotionally because of the pain that is inflicted by others who meant harm.

Since the synopsis has given you some information about what is told in this story, I shall not talk about it further just in case I revealed some spoilers accidentally. I will only say that this book is awesome and should never be missed! Hurry and pick up a copy of Nefertiti and get swept on a thrilling ride into the world of ancient Egypt!

Rating:

Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University. A public high school teacher for six years, Michelle Moran is currently a full-time writer living in California with her husband. She is the author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, will debut in March 2011.

About The Chienchilla

It is not your aptitude but, your attitude that determines your altitude. Many ordinary people achieve extraordinary success and many extraordinary people are utter failure because of attitude. Attitude is everything.